Bhadre Gowda of JD(S) is the Deputy Mayor

Bhadre Gowda of JD(S) was elected unopposed Deputy Mayor of Bengaluru on Wednesday. Though the BJP planned to field Ramamurthy Nagar corporator Padmavathi M to contest, the party pulled out of the fray even before Bhadre filed his nomination papers.

The BJP had walked out of BBMP Council Hall during Mayor election held in September.

The election for the Deputy Mayor post took place after the demise of Ramila Umashankar on October 5 due to heart attack. There was hectic lobbying for the Deputy Mayor post among JD(S) corporators. The JD(S) has 13 corporators in the BBMP Council, with one ward (Kaveripura) ward falling vacant.

Late Ramila Umashankar represented Kaveripura ward in the BBMP Council. It was said Nethra Narayan, representing Kavalbyrasandra Ward, was one of the aspirants for the Deputy Mayor post.

Thanking JD(S) leadership for selecting him as Deputy Mayor, Bhadre Gowda said that he would strive hard for the overall development of 198 wards in Bengaluru.

“Residents of Bengaluru can contact me round the clock if there is an emergency. I, with Mayor’s cooperation, will ensure Bengaluru free from garbage and traffic congestion,’’ says Bhadre Gowda.

The Congress retained five standing committees, while JD(S) got four and Independents three.